Hue Festival is often held during the peak season of summer tourism, creating a good opportunity for the former imperial city to increase its attraction and to develop its hospitality industry.

Nguyen Van Phuong, Chairman of the Thua Thien-Hue Provincial People’s Committee, said that the increase in the number of tourists prove that festivals have created a brand for Hue.

“Through tourism products and the arrivals of domestic and international visitors, localities have set up transportation routes with neighboring provinces. Meanwhile tourism products and local potential have begun to be fully tapped to call for investors. The locals have benefited from the this kind of tourism development, for example having jobs from community activities and services,” said Phuong.

85% of Hue tourism products are centered on cultural heritage. Hue’s cultural heritage and culture-based tourism products, including Hue Festival, play an important role in its socio-economic development.

Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, said that the Center has made efforts in relic restoration and embellishment to create a unique appeal for Hue’s cultural destinations.

He noted, “Now the number of tourists to Hue and the benefits brought by the Hue Festival have been closer to the time before the pandemic, especially foreign visitors. Multiple new types of tourism associated with the festival have promoted the local socio-economic development.”

According to the Politburo Resolution on building and developing Thua Thien-Hue by 2030 with a vision to 2045, the province will flourish based on the conservation and promotion of imperial heritage and cultural identity of Hue.

Nguyen Minh Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, said, “Hue Festival is important to create momentum, promote the preservation and upholding of cultural heritage values, and boost the tourism, socio-economic development of Thua Thien-Hue and neighboring central coastal provinces.”

“Hue Festival offers an opportunity for the city to further promote it as Vietnam’s unique cultural and tourism center,” Hang added.

Hue Festival helps link Hue city with neighboring localities of Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Binh and Quang Tri, expanding the travel and service business networks.

The opening of the 2024 Hue International Arts Festival Week on Friday, as an example, coincided with the opening of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival on Saturday.

Hue is known as a land characterized by unique Eastern culture, full of resources and potential to attract investment for socio-economic and cultural development. Hue continues to prove itself as a tourist city and Vietnam’s iconic festival city.